High School Sports

LaBrae eyes title in 2024

LEAVITTSBURG -- Hanging along the walls at LaBrae are the commendations and titles won by teams past and present. The volleyball banner has two years on it - 2009 and 2010 - an era that Vikings coach Courtney Kish remembers being a part of as a player herself.

Adding another year to that banner has been a goal, and with a rising program, one that's posted a record of 7-1, the pieces seem to be in place to make a run at the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier title.

"We were young last year, coming back, having a majority of the team with us, I had high expectations and a lot of hope. When we play scrappy on defense, we're really moving and grooving," Kish said. "We're definitely trying to brush up on some things offensively, even defensively, but when we're sound, we look pretty good."

"Even when things aren't going great, we always talk about it, when things aren't going great, make that great play."

With a very sophomore and junior-heavy roster, the Vikings only field three seniors, Vada Allen, Taylor Burns, and Marissa Levensky.

Levensky, as a right-side hitter, finds herself a part of a senior trio that has to help guide a younger team through a lengthy season.

"It's really nice, we voted on our captains, and being one of them, it's nice to just be able to lead this team. The girls are just wonderful and the coaches are wonderful," Levensky said. "We can trust each other, we know each other very well. If one person is down, we know how to get them back up, it's nice chemistry to have.

"(Last year) showed us how well we work as a team together because we didn't lose too many people going forward. I think we work very well together, practicing in prior years help lead us to this senior year. (The seniors) talk all the time about it, it's sad because it's our last year, but we all want to go out and play our hardest because it's our last year."

Junior setter Shelby Bragg has been one of the main cogs in the machine for the LaBrae offensive and defensive sets, leading her team in assists (95) while being one of the top earners of aces too.

"I love this team, we worked so hard this preseason to get to where we're at, so I think our start is pretty good. We can keep working, but I think for right now we're doing pretty good," Bragg said. "When we're down 0-2 (against Brookfield) and we win these next three sets, I think that helps a lot with our confidence and helps us with games later in the future.

"It's a challenge, but I enjoy it knowing my hitters are a big part, knowing what sets they like, where they like the ball. Team bonding does a lot, but just playing with the girls, it helps a lot knowing where they like their sets."

Likewise, junior libero Khloe Sanderson, who is one of the team leaders in digs (94), feels there's some intensity this season.

"We were very motivated, we wanted revenge this year, so we came out swinging. Everyone comes into the games with a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm, we want to do our best, Sanderson said. "We're all very close, we do a lot of team bonding. We went to Keystone Safari, we had picnics, we try to be as close as possible.

"I love it, I know everyone else has my back. Being able to make the saves, just cheering, it fuels the fire."

Sophomore Riley Rowe has been one of the top scorers with over 50 kills, while adding 74 assists and 6 blocks. Junior Ella Kuszmaul has posted 11 blocks, and Burns has chipped in 56 kills, more than 50 assists, and nearly 20 aces.

With plenty of matches still on deck, Kish feels she has a squad that's capable of winning some big games while chasing that league title.

"It's always something we strive to accomplish. Last time we had a conference title was whenever I was in high school, so it's something we definitely put up on our goal chart since we've had some successful seasons in the past. So we're always striving to see what's next," Kish said. "What can we do better in the long run, because each game builds upon each other."

"We lost early on to Garfield, and I told the girls, we're going to lose. You're going to have wins and losses, as long as we learn from it.

"That's where we kind of went from there, we took that, learned from it, and we moved forward."

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